The Ride

After all the cheating and the reduction to 100km days I felt fresh in Hotan, to the extent that my brain started to work again. I went for a cycle around Hotan, visited the disappointing museum, enjoyed the fantastic chaos of Friday prayers around the mosque and the bazaar and then consumed yet more kebab.

In the afternoon I did some cultural wine sampling by buying a bottle of pomegranate wine, which is surprisingly tasty. Best of all the label reads "Hotan Pomegranate Wine, like a shining ruby, sparkling with brilliant gloss. Smell the unequal incense, taste the equably mellowness. Made of rare fruit from the southern part of the Taklamakan Desert. High quality raw pomegranate brown with fine grapes and wild roses. Specially designed for successful person, taste the feelings of paradise." Hardly Umbongo but it'll do.

One friday in Hotan

Running totals - week 8

KM: 4472Hours: 324Average Speed: 13.6 KPH

Soundtrack to the Journey

The road is a lonely place and you probably want to block out the noise of your next puncture anyway. Here are the top ten songs/albums of my journey.

10. Yes it's fucking political - Skunk Anansie

Why?: That riff.

Best for: Starting a long slog into the wind or kick starting the next stint.

Special Fact: Contrary to the songs message, not everything is political - look at Ed Miliband's future for example.

9. Adrenaline - Deftones

Why?: 40 minutes of relentlessness.

Best for: The misery of rain, sandstorms, headwind and cold.

Special Fact: White Pony, their third album released in 2000 is the perfect soundtrack to Beijing at night in 2015.

8. No Sensitivity - Jimmy Eat World

Why?: Because at times you will either want to remember what it felt like to be eighteen to remind yourself how pleased the eighteen year old you would be that you're doing this (and you should keep going) or you want to revel in the fact you the following lyrics have no place in your life now that you're an adult.

The world don't spin without youI'm amazed you're standing stillI'm taking my kisses back (whoa)I want my kisses back from youAnd no your problems, they aren't problemsSo be glad they never willI'm taking my kisses back (whoa)I want my kisses back from you, from you, you

Best for: For putting a tent up in a sandstorm.

Special Fact: You can't take kisses back but you can retrieve a 'borrowed' emo band hoody as part of some inevitable teenage heartbreak.

7. Alanis Morissette and the other songs that sound like Beacon FM from the mid 90s

Why?: Because you'll need to block things out and drifting into dated local radio will really help.

Best for: When nothing's happening.

Special Fact: You can easily add in your own local radio advertisements, but you never do.

6. Shakermaker - Oasis

Why?: The intro

Best for: Riding in deserts, this is the perfect song to cycle through a desert too.

Special Fact: This song does not last as long as most deserts.

5. Welcome To The Jungle - Guns N Roses

Why?: Impossible not to increase your RPM with this playing.

Best for: Going unnecessarily fast and ensuring you bonk later in the day.

Special Fact: This is the only GNR song I like, absolutely detest their other output.

4. A Secret History - The Best Of The Divine Comedy

Why?: Because it's the best distraction going.

Best for: Singing along when happy or sad.

Special Fact: I had breached thirty by the time I realised Songs of Love was the theme tune to Father Ted.

3. When the Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin

Why?: Because rhythm is everything

Best for: The relentless slog into a persistent headwind

Special Fact: It's not as good as Kashmir, a song which is actually too good and will lead you to lose focus and drift out of cycle lanes

2. Rave Tapes - MogwaiWhy?: Because you need to relax in a hotel.

Best for: The 45 minutes between stuffing your face and falling asleep

Special Fact: Track 2 - Simon Ferocious, is nothing to do with me. Track 3 - Remurdered, is either the best song you've heard or the best song you're yet to hear.

1. The Boys Are Back In Town - Thin Lizzy

Why?: Dangerously suitable for Top Gear - The Tunes III, but for some reason it always arrived at the right moment on this journey.